Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan Movie Review - Hindi
July 11, 2025
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan Movie Review: A Tender but Flawed Ode to Love Beyond Sight
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, released on July 11, 2025, is a Hindi romantic drama that marks the Bollywood debut of Shanaya Kapoor alongside the ever-reliable Vikrant Massey. Directed by Santosh Singh and inspired by Ruskin Bond’s short story The Eyes Have It, this 138-minute film explores a unique love story between two visually impaired characters, delving into themes of connection, vulnerability, and the sensory experience of love. Produced by Zee Studios, Mini Films, and Open Window Films, the movie boasts a soulful soundtrack by Vishal Mishra and stunning cinematography by Tanveer Mir. While it offers moments of emotional resonance and strong performances, the film’s sluggish screenplay, predictable plot, and uneven pacing prevent it from fully realizing its potential. Here’s a detailed review of this heartfelt yet imperfect romantic journey.
The story unfolds on a scenic train journey to Dehradun, where Jahaan (Vikrant Massey), a visually impaired musician seeking inspiration in Mussoorie, meets Saba Shergill (Shanaya Kapoor), a theatre artist who has blindfolded herself for weeks to prepare for a film role as a blind character. Their chance encounter sparks an organic connection, built on conversations, touch, and shared vulnerability rather than visual cues. Jahaan, unaware of Saba’s temporary blindness, finds in her a rare sense of normalcy, free from the pity he often encounters. As they spend time together in Mussoorie, their bond deepens, but a twist—introduced by Zain Khan Durrani’s character—disrupts their budding romance, leading to a separation and eventual reunion years later. The narrative explores whether their unique connection can overcome time, misunderstandings, and personal struggles.
Vikrant Massey delivers a nuanced, soulful performance as Jahaan, anchoring the film with his understated charm. His ability to convey pain, hope, and quiet resilience through subtle expressions and poetic dialogue (“She saw me not with sight, but insight”) makes Jahaan a compelling protagonist. Massey’s experience shines, particularly in scenes where he navigates Jahaan’s emotional complexity, from creative despair to tentative love. Shanaya Kapoor, in her debut, shows promise as Saba, bringing a natural grace and emotional authenticity to the role. Her preparation, including workshops and blindfolded scene practice, is evident in her confident screen presence, though her inexperience shows in heavier emotional moments. The chemistry between Massey and Kapoor is tender and innocent, carrying the film’s early charm, but it falters when the script demands deeper intensity. Zain Khan Durrani’s supporting role adds a narrative twist but feels underdeveloped, leaving his character’s impact limited.
Director Santosh Singh, known for the series Broken But Beautiful, crafts a visually poetic film that leans heavily on sensory storytelling. Tanveer Mir’s cinematography is a standout, capturing Mussoorie’s misty hills and European locales with dreamlike close-ups and soft hues that evoke the characters’ tactile world. Vishal Mishra’s music, including tracks like “Nazara” and “Alvida,” weaves seamlessly into the narrative, amplifying its emotional beats with soulful melodies and poignant lyrics by Kaushal Kishore. The sound design enhances the film’s focus on non-visual senses, making moments of silence and touch particularly evocative. However, the screenplay, written by Mansi Bagla, Niranjan Iyengar, and Singh, struggles to expand Bond’s concise story into a full-length feature. The film’s slow-burn approach, while intentional, often feels languid, and its 2-hour-20-minute runtime feels indulgent due to repetitive scenes and loosely handled subplots.
Thematically, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan explores love beyond physical sight, emphasizing trust, emotional intimacy, and self-discovery. The film’s premise—two people connecting through shared sensory limitations—is refreshing, and its nod to Ruskin Bond’s The Eyes Have It adds literary charm. However, the narrative stumbles into predictable Bollywood tropes, particularly in the second half, where a contrived love triangle and a psychedelic confrontation scene dilute emotional stakes. Critics note that the film’s obsession with sight-based metaphors (“pyaar andha hota hai”) and poetic dialogue, while lyrical, becomes exhausting, overshadowing the story’s simplicity. Subplots, such as Jahaan’s creative struggles and Saba’s acting ambitions, lack depth, making pivotal moments feel underwhelming. The absence of a strong three-act structure and a compelling conflict further hampers engagement, as noted by reviews from The Hindu and India Today.
The film’s box office performance reflects its modest reception, earning just Rs 35 lakh on its opening day against competition from Superman and Maalik. Some praise the film’s visuals and Massey’s performance, rating it as high as 4.5/5 for its emotional arcs, while others criticize its dull screenplay and clunky dialogues, giving it as low as 1/5. The consensus is that the film’s heart lies in its restraint and sensory focus, but its predictable resolution and lack of narrative momentum make it a one-time watch. Unnikrishnan PP’s editing could have tightened the pacing, particularly in the second half, where the story meanders without a satisfying emotional payoff.
Despite its flaws, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan has moments of genuine warmth. The train sequence and early Mussoorie scenes capture the magic of a slow-blooming romance, and the leads’ camaraderie carries the film through its weaker patches. The technical craft—cinematography, music, and sound design—creates an immersive, introspective mood, making it a treat for fans of mellow love stories. However, its inability to balance its poetic ambitions with a cohesive narrative leaves it short of being a memorable romance. For those who enjoy reflective, slow-paced dramas like Lootera, the film offers enough to warrant a watch, but it’s unlikely to linger like its source material.
In conclusion, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is a visually beautiful, sincerely acted romantic drama that falters due to its sluggish pacing and predictable storytelling. Vikrant Massey and Shanaya Kapoor deliver heartfelt performances, and the film’s sensory focus is admirable, but its lack of emotional depth and narrative clarity make it a missed opportunity. It’s a gentle, nostalgic watch for romantics, best enjoyed for its music, visuals, and the leads’ chemistry, but don’t expect a profound love story.
Rating: 3/5
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, released on July 11, 2025, is a Hindi romantic drama that marks the Bollywood debut of Shanaya Kapoor alongside the ever-reliable Vikrant Massey. Directed by Santosh Singh and inspired by Ruskin Bond’s short story The Eyes Have It, this 138-minute film explores a unique love story between two visually impaired characters, delving into themes of connection, vulnerability, and the sensory experience of love. Produced by Zee Studios, Mini Films, and Open Window Films, the movie boasts a soulful soundtrack by Vishal Mishra and stunning cinematography by Tanveer Mir. While it offers moments of emotional resonance and strong performances, the film’s sluggish screenplay, predictable plot, and uneven pacing prevent it from fully realizing its potential. Here’s a detailed review of this heartfelt yet imperfect romantic journey.
The story unfolds on a scenic train journey to Dehradun, where Jahaan (Vikrant Massey), a visually impaired musician seeking inspiration in Mussoorie, meets Saba Shergill (Shanaya Kapoor), a theatre artist who has blindfolded herself for weeks to prepare for a film role as a blind character. Their chance encounter sparks an organic connection, built on conversations, touch, and shared vulnerability rather than visual cues. Jahaan, unaware of Saba’s temporary blindness, finds in her a rare sense of normalcy, free from the pity he often encounters. As they spend time together in Mussoorie, their bond deepens, but a twist—introduced by Zain Khan Durrani’s character—disrupts their budding romance, leading to a separation and eventual reunion years later. The narrative explores whether their unique connection can overcome time, misunderstandings, and personal struggles.
Vikrant Massey delivers a nuanced, soulful performance as Jahaan, anchoring the film with his understated charm. His ability to convey pain, hope, and quiet resilience through subtle expressions and poetic dialogue (“She saw me not with sight, but insight”) makes Jahaan a compelling protagonist. Massey’s experience shines, particularly in scenes where he navigates Jahaan’s emotional complexity, from creative despair to tentative love. Shanaya Kapoor, in her debut, shows promise as Saba, bringing a natural grace and emotional authenticity to the role. Her preparation, including workshops and blindfolded scene practice, is evident in her confident screen presence, though her inexperience shows in heavier emotional moments. The chemistry between Massey and Kapoor is tender and innocent, carrying the film’s early charm, but it falters when the script demands deeper intensity. Zain Khan Durrani’s supporting role adds a narrative twist but feels underdeveloped, leaving his character’s impact limited.
Director Santosh Singh, known for the series Broken But Beautiful, crafts a visually poetic film that leans heavily on sensory storytelling. Tanveer Mir’s cinematography is a standout, capturing Mussoorie’s misty hills and European locales with dreamlike close-ups and soft hues that evoke the characters’ tactile world. Vishal Mishra’s music, including tracks like “Nazara” and “Alvida,” weaves seamlessly into the narrative, amplifying its emotional beats with soulful melodies and poignant lyrics by Kaushal Kishore. The sound design enhances the film’s focus on non-visual senses, making moments of silence and touch particularly evocative. However, the screenplay, written by Mansi Bagla, Niranjan Iyengar, and Singh, struggles to expand Bond’s concise story into a full-length feature. The film’s slow-burn approach, while intentional, often feels languid, and its 2-hour-20-minute runtime feels indulgent due to repetitive scenes and loosely handled subplots.
Thematically, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan explores love beyond physical sight, emphasizing trust, emotional intimacy, and self-discovery. The film’s premise—two people connecting through shared sensory limitations—is refreshing, and its nod to Ruskin Bond’s The Eyes Have It adds literary charm. However, the narrative stumbles into predictable Bollywood tropes, particularly in the second half, where a contrived love triangle and a psychedelic confrontation scene dilute emotional stakes. Critics note that the film’s obsession with sight-based metaphors (“pyaar andha hota hai”) and poetic dialogue, while lyrical, becomes exhausting, overshadowing the story’s simplicity. Subplots, such as Jahaan’s creative struggles and Saba’s acting ambitions, lack depth, making pivotal moments feel underwhelming. The absence of a strong three-act structure and a compelling conflict further hampers engagement, as noted by reviews from The Hindu and India Today.
The film’s box office performance reflects its modest reception, earning just Rs 35 lakh on its opening day against competition from Superman and Maalik. Some praise the film’s visuals and Massey’s performance, rating it as high as 4.5/5 for its emotional arcs, while others criticize its dull screenplay and clunky dialogues, giving it as low as 1/5. The consensus is that the film’s heart lies in its restraint and sensory focus, but its predictable resolution and lack of narrative momentum make it a one-time watch. Unnikrishnan PP’s editing could have tightened the pacing, particularly in the second half, where the story meanders without a satisfying emotional payoff.
Despite its flaws, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan has moments of genuine warmth. The train sequence and early Mussoorie scenes capture the magic of a slow-blooming romance, and the leads’ camaraderie carries the film through its weaker patches. The technical craft—cinematography, music, and sound design—creates an immersive, introspective mood, making it a treat for fans of mellow love stories. However, its inability to balance its poetic ambitions with a cohesive narrative leaves it short of being a memorable romance. For those who enjoy reflective, slow-paced dramas like Lootera, the film offers enough to warrant a watch, but it’s unlikely to linger like its source material.
In conclusion, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is a visually beautiful, sincerely acted romantic drama that falters due to its sluggish pacing and predictable storytelling. Vikrant Massey and Shanaya Kapoor deliver heartfelt performances, and the film’s sensory focus is admirable, but its lack of emotional depth and narrative clarity make it a missed opportunity. It’s a gentle, nostalgic watch for romantics, best enjoyed for its music, visuals, and the leads’ chemistry, but don’t expect a profound love story.
Rating: 3/5
